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My Attempt at Recycling

In my small way I am attempting to recycle. No, I don't always save cereal boxes or newspapers, but I have found a way to recycle old clothing and fabric. I have found a great source for used clothing at two resale shops in my area. Clothing there sells for no more than $2.00 an article. The profits from these items goes to charity and I find gems. I constantly find name brand mens shirts for as little as $1.00.My husband is thrilled that I find golf polos that otherwise we could not afford. These sell retail for as much as $60.00. When I don't find great wearable clothing I usually look for zippers, buttons and fabric that is still usuable. Zippers sell retail for around $2.00 and buttons are even more expensive. Look for a dress with lots of buttons, zippers, or other embellishments.I purchase these for around $1.00 , I bring them home and take them apart.The fabric is sometimes salvaged for rugs or quilts. Plus sized full skirt have lots of usable fabric. There is a little effort involved but the savings in tremendous. I have also found you can get shirts at garage for as little as .25 and reuse the buttons. Can't find a card of buttons for .25 I bet.

Tags: buttons, clothing, fabric, money, recycle, recycling, reuse, save, thrift, upcycle, More…used, zippers

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Community Assistant Comment by Kip on February 28, 2012 at 1:50pm: I too love shopping thrift shops for recycleable items.

Comment by Nancy Achin on March 12, 2011 at 6:15pm: I've done this for a long time. My mom was an avid sewer, and whenever I outgrew something she had made, the buttons came off and were reused in another garment. I had the same buttons on various dresses growing up!

Comment by maps/marj on March 7, 2011 at 1:37pm: these are all great ideas!!!

Comment by Judith Mercer on March 6, 2011 at 5:33pm: Hi Janice, like your article, my sentiments exactly. Charity shops in the UK are abundant, and I cannot pass one without popping in to look for 100% cotton garments that I can reuse. I have bought loads of things, curtains I use for backing a quilt I made, trimmings and an embroidery hoop, indeed lots and lots of items that people who have given up sewing don't know what to do with, they give them to the shops and people like me who have just started getting interested in it, can get lots of stuff cheaply. Keep up the good work.

Comment by Miss Creative on March 6, 2011 at 10:42am: Hi Janice I think those ideas are very constructive and simole to do and it is for a good cause as well. I couldn't get items at my charity shops for as little as .25 sterling but I could get great stuff at very good prices at our local carboot sales. I already recycle plastic and glass bottles, cans and roughage so I am gonna try the charity shop idea, thank you for sharing and keep up the good work. :-)